![CHICAGO (5)[10].jpg](https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/sites/seatrade-maritime.com/files/styles/article_featured_standard/public/CHICAGO%20510.jpg?itok=68ZFtGns "CHICAGO (5)[10].jpg")
The project involves retrofitting an existing Unibarge inland waterways vessel Chicago with methanol-dual fuel propulsion for charter to OCI. OCI intends to use the barge to offer its OCI HyFuels green methanol to shipping companies calling in Rotterdam.
Bashir Lebada, CEO of OCI Methanol, commented, OCI and Unibarge are one of the first globally to concentrate decarbonization efforts on smaller vessels and create what is currently a unique offer in Europe with this emission-free and dual-use barge, which both runs on and delivers our green methanol.
As Europe’s largest port Rotterdam has already been undertaking methanol bunkering operations
Listen to an episode of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast on methanol as a marine fuel
Nico van Dooren, Director of New Business at the Port of Rotterdam said, “Rotterdam was the first port in the world to offer barge-to-ship bunkering of methanol in 2021 and this dual-fueled bunkering barge will be another important milestone on the road to zero-emission shipping.”
The barge is expected to be deployed in the Port of Rotterdam and on inland waterways in the second half of 2024.
